California Small Claims Court Filing Fees (2025)

Filing a small claims case in California costs less than most people expect. The fees are set by statute and based on the amount you are claiming. But the filing fee is not the only cost you will encounter. Service fees, enforcement fees, and other expenses can add up if you do not plan for them.

Here is a complete breakdown of what you will pay at each stage of a California small claims case.

Filing Fees by Claim Amount

When you file your SC-100 (Plaintiff's Claim) at the courthouse clerk's office, the fee depends on how much you are suing for:

These tiers apply to individual plaintiffs suing for up to $12,500, which is the current cap for natural persons (CCP 116.221). Business entities (corporations, LLCs, partnerships) are limited to $6,250 per claim (CCP 116.220(a)), so they will pay either $30 or $50.

Frequent Filer Fee

If you have filed more than 12 small claims cases within the past 12 months, you are classified as a "frequent filer." The fee jumps to a flat $100 per case regardless of the claim amount.

This rule is designed to prevent abuse of the small claims system. It most commonly affects landlords, property managers, and collection agencies. Casual filers will never hit this threshold.

There is also a separate frequency restriction to be aware of: no plaintiff may file more than two claims exceeding $2,500 anywhere in California within a single calendar year (CCP 116.220(a)). This is a filing cap, not a fee, but it is worth knowing before you plan multiple cases.

Fee Waivers (Form FW-001)

If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can apply for a waiver by submitting Form FW-001 (Request to Waive Court Fees) along with your SC-100. The fee waiver covers filing fees and may also cover other court costs.

You qualify for a fee waiver if you meet any of these criteria:

• You receive public benefits: Medi-Cal, CalFresh (food stamps), SSI/SSP, CalWORKs, CAPI, or county general relief
• Your household income is at or below 125% of the federal poverty level: For a single person in 2025, this is approximately $19,300 per year
• You cannot pay court fees without sacrificing basic needs: Food, housing, clothing, medical care, or transportation

The judge reviews your application and either approves or denies it. If denied, you can request a hearing to explain your financial situation.

A granted fee waiver does not cover all possible costs in your case. Sheriff's fees for service or enforcement, for example, are separate and may or may not be waivable depending on the county.

Service of Process Costs

After filing, you must serve the defendant with your court papers. You cannot serve them yourself. The costs depend on which service method you use:

Certified mail by the clerk is the cheapest professional option, but it is only valid if the defendant personally signs the return receipt. If they refuse or someone else signs, service is invalid and you will need to try again using a different method.

Having a friend or family member serve the papers is free, but they must be at least 18 years old and not a party to the case. They will need to fill out Form SC-104 (Proof of Service) afterward.

Post-Judgment Enforcement Costs

Winning a judgment and collecting the money are two separate challenges. If the defendant does not pay voluntarily, each enforcement step has its own fees:

These costs are recoverable. You can add them to the total judgment amount by filing Form MC-012 (Memorandum of Costs After Judgment). The debtor ultimately owes you the original judgment plus interest plus your reasonable collection expenses.

Interest on Judgments

Your judgment earns interest from the date of entry until it is fully paid. The standard rate is 10% per year for most claims. Certain personal injury and medical debt judgments accrue at 5% per year.

Interest is calculated on the unpaid balance and can be added to enforcement actions. On a $10,000 judgment, 10% annual interest adds $1,000 per year until collected.

Total Cost Estimate

For a typical small claims case where the plaintiff files, uses a process server, and collects the judgment through a wage garnishment:

All of these costs are recoverable from the defendant if you win. The filing fee is refunded as part of the judgment, and post-judgment costs are added via MC-012.

Keep Your Receipts

Every fee you pay during your case is a potential cost recovery item. Keep receipts for filing fees, service fees, sheriff's fees, copying costs, and any other expenses directly related to your case.

The complete California Small Claims Court Filing Guide walks you through every step -- from demand letter templates and SC-100 form instructions to evidence worksheets and post-judgment collection methods. It includes a cost tracking worksheet so you can document every expense and maximize your recovery.